Where Do I Go To Install My Lift & ECGS Bushing?

I need some advice. I just received my 5100's and my AAL for my Tacoma. I also went ahead and got the ECGS bushing, and front diff drop. Its only a 2" lift but I wanted it to be done right.

Where should I go in the Atlanta area? Help!

 

I don't think you need the diff drop for that.

And I'd hold off on the bushing until you actually have a problem with it.

Others will chime in to correct me if I'm wrong about either/both.

 

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I may have gone a bit overboard in the "protective measures" category but i figured while the truck was torn apart it might be a good time to go ahead a do it. Thanks for the advice. I look forward to the suggestions.

Much appreciated.

 

I'd see if there are experienced members near you to do a mod day. Installing 5100s is easy, and the ECGS bushing is a little harder but still relatively easy.

You're right in wanting to do the ECGS bushing while it's apart. I didn't, and I have a slight vibe (although I just live with it at this point). Diff drop doesn't really make a difference one way or another, but if you have it you might as well install it.

 

@EatSleepTacos thanks for the reply. I always see your valuable advice so i will pick your brain. Here is what i purchased.

5100's
Icon Progressive AAL (Black Friday Special from Wheelers online)
ECGS bushing
Toltec Diff Drop
887's

I don't want to do UCA's if i can help it so im trying to stick around 2" in front. Im thinking of keeping the helper leaf in the rear to get a full 2" in rear so I have front to back rake.

Thoughts?

 

That's honestly the perfect set up for the average TW user. I ran essentially this same set up in both of my tacomas, and I'm really happy with it. I know you will be too! I'm glad you went through wheelers, as they're good people and who I order all my stuff through.

 

Thanks! That makes me happy to hear.

Where would you set the 5100's?
Also, do you think I will need UCA's for a good alignment?

BTW. Wheelers were great!

 

Set the 5100s at 0. When you pair them with an aftermarket coil, the coil will be providing all the lift and you'll have the smoothest ride!

As far as UCAs, you should be fine at that height. I ran stock UCAs on both my trucks at 2.5" of lift, and it was alright. I had 1.56* of caster which wasn't too bad. I just installed UCAs the other day and am getting my alignment on Thursday. Hopefully the difference is substantial enough to warrant the $500 price tag!

 

@mlmcgreg1521 , waiting for mod day with the north ATL or south Atl group is imhop the best idea. It is not that you cannot do this yourself, it is more a matter or having back up and some experience on your side. The most important thing is for you to familiarize yourself with how your suspension works and goes together. Learning from a component failure on the trail increases the difficultly of repair substantially.

 

@Mudfootshuffle
thanks for the message. Oh, I can assure you that I am in no way qualified to do this install. Oh, no.....

Where do I done the "north ATL" group?

I definitely need a competent shop to help.....

 

@mlmcgreg1521 , check the owners thread here in the Ga section. A lot of people are getting new equipment from the black Friday sales and Christmas. There will most certainly be a mod day or 2 after the holiday. The chatter has already begun but no dates set that I am aware of. The owners thread is also the most active and the best way to get noticed by our local taco community.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ga-tacoma-owners.17642/page-677

 

DIY that, but pass on the diff drop. They're universally accepted as a bad idea.

There's a lot of good suggestions for a mod day, if you have no experience that's a good idea. I'm waiting to do my lift until during upcoming vacation time during the Christmas break. I'm pretty sure I can do my Fox L2 kit and Dakar springs myself, but can always use an extra hand. If you're in the NE suburbs, PM me and we can do both ours together if you're free in late December. The how-tos on this site don't look too bad, and 2 heads are better than one.

 

@synaps3 thanks for the reply.

Im surprised that no one seems to think the diff drop is important. Can you explain further? Mine is from ToyTec. I can still return it.

Lets keep in touch on the mods.

 

The diff drop is just more trouble than it's worth. There's lots of folks on here running 1-2" lifts without them. Some people do lifts without doing the needle bearing replacement either (ECGS bushing) with no issues.

As far as I can tell, the general consensus is that you don't need it unless you're lifting more than 3", which you'd also need new CV axles for. There's a thread somewhere where a diff drop was bashed by a skid plate and did a ton of damage to a 2nd gen, it wouldn't have happened if it was left alone too.

Since you're doing a reasonable lift instead of going huge, it just is added work for no benefit.